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We left camp at Arlington Heights on Tuesday morning at 7 o’clock, were joined by the 27th [?] at a junction of the roads about seven miles out, went on some eight miles further and camped just beyond Fairfax Court House for the night. Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock was a brisk start and marching on some for miles further to Chantilly, our present abiding place. […]

Again I must write, Mr. Hubbard, but this time to extend my heart-felt thanks for your kindness in executing my wishes, and those considerate expressions of sympathy. Let me assure you with all possible earnestness that I have implicit confidence in your honor and accordingly the same amount of faith in the language of your last. After our rather uncharitable opinion of, and expressions to each other, this sympathy from you was not expected but that only makes it the more thoroughly appreciated.

I want to tell you about a little boy about the age of Grace. The other night just at evening I was sitting before the fire a knock at my tent door: “come in;” when in bounced a little black eyed boy. He looked something like this little fellow, with his pants rolled up near the tops of his little boots. A large man followed him. “Well where did you come from!” No answer, only eyes sparkle. Then, “What’s your name.” Willie. Willie’s uncle had been traveling around with Willie trying to find his father in the 98 Tenn. Regiment all that afternoon. It was in Gen. Sedgwick’s Corps people had sent him to Gen. Sedgwick’s old Division. I was delighted. He looked at my tongs, handled my shovel called for my poker and insisted that that was not a poker but a cane. He got hold of the black end of the tongs and I had to wash his hands. He next had my photographs and in an instant was out begging for a ride on a horse. Uncle Charlie gave him one – it was near night – and the boy and uncle had as much as five miles to go. I kissed the little boy and sent him off in an ambulance. I asked him while here where his mother was – he said in her grave. His uncle said he was an only son – and his father was a Lieutenant in the army.

Soon after breakfast our Reg. moved back a few rods into the woods to dryer ground, where we pitched our shelter tents, & [illeg. word] out our clothes to dry, & had a general cleaning up, & an inspection of arms & ammunition. At 3 P.M. packed up & marched about ¾ mile to a field not far from the river, where our Brigade pitched their tents & spent the night.

Yours of the 4th inst. is this moment recd. and I hasten to respond. I am very glad that you like the photographs as a picture, if not as a likeness. I am certain you would think this original a good likeness. […] About all of Mrs. Bridgman’s friends who have seen the picture are very much pleased with it. […]

Don’t imagine New Haven a safe place from Rebel [don] clads, for if they once get into the sound they will make at once for that nest of “fanatics” remembering the “Silliman letter,” and there is nothing to dispute their entrance – I am going there out of patriotism to help defend the city! As you say, it will be a good place to start from for our summer excursions – Our plans so far as developed are to start early in July – after the expiration of the tour of service of the 25th Maine Regt. – for Maine – where we shall be joined by Ben. and Belle Page, and we trust Adjt. Hubbard – and proceed to Moosehead Lake where we propose to have a good time! Further than this our plans are undeveloped. […]

Friday. Rainy all day. Now drill after the Sergeants’ drill in morning. Finished & mailed a letter to Pamelia in forenoon. In afternoon a mail arrived, but most of the letters were old ones, some written in January. I rec’d none. It is said there is another mail in N.O. that will be up in a day or two.

Thursday. Had morning drill from 7 to 7.45—then from 9 to 11. In afternoon, the whole Brigade marched to Camp Banks to be reviewed by Genl. Augun. We though[t] our Brigade made quite a decent appearance, tho’ one Regt. Was not able to bring out more than about 200 men—a whole Co. being out on picket, & other men on post guard. Our actual strength now, we suppose to be about 300 men besides commissioned officers. These frequent reviews & inspections are supposed to portend “a move,” in some direction. The forces here have been increased of late by the arrival of Cavalry & Artillery, besides which several mortar vessels have come up the river within a week.

I am expecting Otis back tomorrow morning when I will join him and we will try & reach the army by Saturday.

Last Thursday I went up to West Point & came back Monday P.M. Enjoyed visiting my old friends there much. The day I returned I called over to Brooklyn and saw Mrs. Perry Lee and engaged to attend her cousin’s wedding with her the next day.

It was a gay time and I saw there H.W. Beecher, Mrs General Fremont & other distingue’s.

The bride was Miss Sarah Dwight. The bridegroom was Capt. Raymund of Gen. Fremont’s staff. I also met Capt Jack Howard of their staff. He is from Brooklyn originally.

Tuesday. This morning at 7 o’clock Gorham H. Gould died at the Reg. Hospital. He had been there nearly all the time since we arrived here, & had been brought almost to death’s door, but three weeks ago appeared to have taken a new lease of life, and gained rapidly, for a week or more, & I had great hopes of his ultimate recovery. After a few days, however, he began to fail again, & has gradually wasted away. He was buried this afternoon not far from Mitchell & York. Being Officer of the day I was not able to leave to attend his funeral. Lt. Jerrard has given up today, & this evening has gone into town with strong symptoms of measles. He will stay at the house where his brother, J. F. Jerrard boards, & will thus be more comfortable than he would be either in quarters or hospital. We have looked anxiously for the mail today, but for some reason it is kept back. We are to have a Reg. Inspection tomorrow at 10 A.M.

Monday. Finished & mailed letter to Mother. Spent forenoon in making “Final Statements” & “Inventories of effects” of York & Mitchell. Del[ivere]d one copy of each to the Adjutant & mailed one to the Adj. Genl. at Washington, keeping one myself. We also rolled up the clothes in snug packages, to send home. Shall wait a few days, & if the three men that have been recommended for discharge get their papers soon, shall send the things north in their care—if not, shall have to send them by Express. In afternoon had a Batt[alion] Drill. No mail has come up, but as it has reached N.O. it will probably reach us tomorrow.